The month of February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month. The goal at IVF Genesis is to raise awareness of the many potentially serious infections that pregnant women can transfer to their unborn babies and also ways that she can reduce or even prevent these infections.

Creating a healthy life for your baby starts before birth. Preventing infections during pregnancy is a major step that mothers need to take care of. Infection that can cause future health problems for your baby such as hearing loss, mental disability etc.

What are some of the most common prenatal infections?

Many common infections are screened during pregnancy. These include urinary tract infections(UTIs ), group B streptococcus or strep, HIV, syphilis, rubella, Hepatitis B are also screened during pregnancy. Other common infections that can be transferred from the mother to fetus are listeria, chicken pox, herpes and fifth disease.

What are some of the damages that are caused by prenatal infections?

Although only a small percentage of fetuses are affected by maternal infections, the results can be devastating and severe. There are different results that depend on the trimester in which the infection occurs as well as the specific type of infection. If it is left untreated, fetal consequences can be more severe which include miscarriage, blindness, hearing loss, pneumonia, meningitis, intellectual disabilities and sometimes death.

What are a few ways where moms can keep their baby safe before and after birth

Preventing and reducing exposure to maternal infections is the best way to reduce the risk of fetal infections. Cleanliness and hand washing goes a long way towards reducing the risk of infection exposure during the pregnancy and throughout the baby's life. Here are some ways to prevent infection and reduce exposure.

• Seek proper prenatal care where infections such as UTI, syphilis can be diagnosed and treated early. Prevention plays an important role when it comes to a fetus. Prevention of group B strep transfer to the fetus is done during labour through antibiotic administration to the mother to be.
• Vaccinations can be taken up before pregnancy so as to avoid infections such as chicken pox or rubella.
• Avoid getting in contact with people who are known to be sick, especially those with chickenpox etc.
• Wash your hands after contact with people's saliva and after diaper changes.
• Avoid cleaning litter boxes or animal cages and wear gloves while gardening to reduce toxoplasmosis exposure.
• Make sure you wash your hands after handling raw or undercooked meat.
• Mom's can avoid deli meats, sprouts, unpasteurized cheese and milk, unpasteurized cider as all of them can be carriers of listeria.
• Make sure you cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly.
• Wash and peel fruits and vegetables

Follow your doctor's guidelines before, after and during pregnancy. It is always important to schedule regular visits with your doctor, especially when you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.

IVF Genesis fertility research centre in Erode as a distinguished medical clinic for Infertility with all facilities under one roof. We have become a clinic of excellence in all facets of infertility which are offered at an affordable cost for the public. IVF with highest success rates in Tamilnadu is a proud milestone for us.